Blazers hold on for 4-3 win in Regina

Dec 16, 2015 | 12:35 AM

REGINA — The Kamloops Blazers (15-10-3-1) built up a 4-1 lead through two periods and hung on for a 4-3 win over the Regina Pats (15-14-2-2) Tuesday night in Regina. 

The Blazers had a terrific first period. They didn’t allow a shot in the first 10 minutes of the game and built of a 2-0 lead. 

Gage Quinney had an outstanding indivudal effort, as he took the puck to the net and roofed a backhand past goaltender Tyler Brown to make it 1-0 Blazers only 3:02 into the game. 

Matt Needham made it 2-0 with 3:41 to play in the first period. Garrett Pilon drove wide and centered a pass to Needham as he added to the lead. 

The Pats battled back with a power play goal late in the period. Aaron Macklin centered a pass to Sam Steel off the rush with 7.4 seconds left for a goal to cut the lead to 2-1 for the Blazers through two periods. 

The second period was scoreless for the first half, but the Blazers added to the lead with 7:40 left in the period. 

Collin Shirley found Garrett Pilon for a shorthanded breakaway. He went in alone and made a great move to score his ninth goal of the season. 

Shirley added a goal shortly later as he collected a rebound after a shot from Cam Reagan to make it 4-1 with the Blazers through two periods. 

It looked like the Blazers were in full control, but the Pats were motivated in the third period. 

Chase Harrison cut the Blazers lead to 4-2 as he snuck in from the point and one-timed a puck over the shoulder of goaltender Connor Ingram. 

Adam Brooks then made it 4-3 with 8:20 to go as he tipped a puck from the side of the net past Ingram. 

The Pats continued to press, but Ingram made some great saves in the final 10 minutes for the Blazers. 

The Blazers hung on for the 4-3 win as they moved to 3-0-0-0 on their six-game East Division road trip. 

Connor Ingram had a great game with 39 saves in goal, including 30 saves over the final two periods. 

Collin Shirley and Garrett Pilon were both named game stars as they finished with a goal and an assist. 

The Blazers were 0-for-2 on the power play, while the Pats finished 1-for-3. 

The Blazers will now head to Brandon for a game on Wednesday night.